Game Save 140.96

      Since my first and last post, I've been thinking. You're probably wondering why I have a quote as this blog's main title and what does it means to me. Well this quote is from a game called Metal Gear Solid.

      A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with a friend and he asked me "what's your life changing video game?" For him, it's Final Fantasy VII. Whenever he's down, he always plays that game to cheer himself up; it really means something to him. For me, I have favorites like Prince of Persia, God of War, Zone of the Enders, No more Heroes and Persona 4 but at the time, I didn't have a life changing video game that made me live differently. 

      Going back a bit further in the summer of 2012, my best friend Louis, was shocked that after knowing each other for 6 years he discovered that I have never played any of the Metal Gear games before. Louis is a massive fan of Metal Gear. He has read all of the comics and played all of the games; the MSX Metal Gear 1 & 2, Ghost Babel for the gameboy, and the PSP Acid, Portable Ops and Peace Walker. He has not played the mobile version (the N-Gage) yet, but he's on the quest to find it. Anyways he's a walking encyclopedia of MGS.  

      After making the comment that I have never played any of the games at Louis place, he sat me down and forced me to play on the spot. For some odd reason he made me play the 3rd game (Snake Eater) first, but it was there that started off my long journey of loving the series.

      I played the 3rd game about half way through, till Louis said that he was stupid for making me play it because I should play the series the way it was chronologically released (trust me if anyone is ever going to play MGS for the first time, play it chronologically. The plot twist shock value is worth it). So we went and played Metal Gear Solid 1: Twin Snakes for the GameCube. I played Twin Snakes on an off at Louis place, but after 2 long years I could finally say that this game is beautiful. Not because of it's tactical espionage action gameplay, but because of it's story telling and it's lesson it teaches you after finishing the game. 

      Though it took me 2 years to finish, the timing was perfect for me.... I finished the game after almost making a decision of taking my own life.

      My reasons behind it were because I couldn't deal with my own feelings, I've caused too many problems and some people I know don't like me whenever I'm upset. I rushed myself to feel better but it only made me sicker and I couldn't stand it anymore. But I was able to convince myself out of it because I still care; and how Louis says it, "it's a short term solution to a long term problem. It's not going to solve anything and you'll be dead." 

      I'm glad I have Louis as a best friend, cause I really need someone to be there for me when I'm dealing with my own problems at the moment; I'm sort of lacking support. I contacted Louis after what happened, and he welcomed me comfort to his place and we went back into gaming.

      What Metal Gear Solid taught me and reminded me in the end, is to not attack myself for the things that happened in the past, and just live. "The important thing is that you choose life and then live." Picking life, there would always be something beautiful in the end. It may not come now, but if you pick your own path and not follow what other tells you or expects from you, you will embrace life to the fullest and see that there is beauty. Life is precious.

"Humans can choose the type of life they want to live. Whether you've been programmed or not isn't important. The important thing is that you choose life... and then live. Don't worry I'm gonna choose life too. Until today, I've always looked for a reason to live. But for now on, I'm just going to just live." 

- Dr. Naomi Hunter

      I was thinking about the things I've witnessed at the end. I just have to live. I don't know what's my purpose in life right now, but I just have to live life to the fullest and embrace it; and let go of the past. It's not going to be easy and I have to take my time on doing this. I don't want to rush into things. See the reason why I've rushed myself in the first place, was not to just make myself feel better, but because of the people who don't like me when I'm upset. I just don't know what to say about them... But I'm going to do things my own way and just focus on myself. 

     Asides from that, I cried at the end of the game. It was 2 o'clock in the morning when I finished it, and I thanked Louis for being there for me, and showing me this beautiful game. 

      So to answer my friends question if I have a life changing video game, I now do. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is arguably the best game in the series, but for me Metal Gear Solid 1 have taught me a lesson and have change my way of living. In a way, Metal Gear Solid saved me.

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      This game had such huge impact on me. After I got home from Louis', I turned on my PS3 and actually purchased the PSX version online and played it again just to see the ending. Now, me and Louis are doing this whole marathon of playing all the MGS games cause I'm so indulge by the story and lessons they give you in each game. I've finished playing 1 to 3 in a span of one week. Now we're tag-teaming 4 and finishing it next week. After that, we're gonna watch Portable Ops then Peace Walker.  

     I can't wait for MGS V: Ground Zeroes. Once it comes out, which is very soon, I will have my hands on it!